Since martial law and impeachment, wreaths have been piling up near the presidential office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, and near the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu. Delivery companies have been placing wreaths ordered by individuals or groups supporting or opposing President Yoon Suk-yeol. With more than 3,100 wreaths placed at the two locations, various issues such as waste management are arising.
On the 20th, wreaths are lined up along both sidewalks of Itaewon-ro for about 1.3 kilometers from Samgakji Station to Noksapyeong Station in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, near the presidential office. About 2,300 wreaths are placed here. Additionally, on the right and north sidewalks of the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, wreaths are stacked 5 to 7 layers deep over a 200-meter section. Approximately 850 wreaths are placed here.
A significant number of wreaths are intended to support President Yoon. It is noted that these wreaths surged on the 18th for President Yoon's birthday. At that time, due to a lack of space in front of the Constitutional Court, a citizen requested that wreaths also be allowed in the alley south of the court, which the police initially prevented.
Wreaths can cause issues with pedestrian traffic and safety. The Constitutional Court has posted notices at both ends of the sections where wreaths are placed, stating that 'wreath placement is prohibited here to prevent obstruction and accidents for pedestrians.' Additionally, in the early morning of the 15th, a fire broke out in wreaths near Noksapyeong Station. In the cold weather, flowers have completely frozen, and damaged wreaths have dropped debris onto the sidewalk.
The local government has yet to decide how to handle the wreaths. Yongsan-gu is monitoring the sites where the wreaths are placed. A district official noted, 'The wreaths were placed by individuals, and because it's politically sensitive, they can't be easily removed,' adding that they are reviewing whether there are any legal grounds or regulations to support their removal.
Although the wreaths in front of the Constitutional Court are placed outside its walls, this area is still considered court property. According to Jongno-gu, the Constitutional Court itself, not the district office, should handle the wreaths. A court official noted, 'Due to issues of ownership, it's difficult to remove them haphazardly,' adding that the general affairs department has not yet determined how to deal with the wreaths.
In relation to political situations, it is not the first time that a large number of wreaths have been placed. In September 2022, wreaths supporting former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon were placed in front of the Constitutional Court. A public hearing was held at the court to determine the constitutionality of the so-called 'complete deprivation of prosecutorial investigation rights,' and former leader Han participated as the Minister of Justice. A court official noted, 'At that time, there weren't as many wreaths as now, and the delivery company retrieved the wreaths afterward.' Wreath companies retrieve delivered wreaths upon the request and payment of the orderer.
In June 2022, many wreaths were placed in front of the National Assembly to support Lee Jae-myung, the new leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, upon being elected as a member of parliament. At that time, the National Assembly requested Yeongdeungpo-gu to handle the matter, which was resolved. A Yeongdeungpo-gu official stated, 'Since the ownership of wreaths is unclear, if residents or the National Assembly file a civil complaint, the district office processes it.'